Public employees plan takes Sovaldi cost to court

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority, or Septa, has a workforce of around 9,000, with many more covered in a health plan for retirees, and says it has spent $2.4 million on Sovaldi through the first 11 months of the year. Gilead has charged far more than it needs to, argue lawyers for Septa, from the firm Chimicles & Tikellis. The drug company is attempting “to exploit the patent laws by selectively charging exorbitant prices,” they wrote in a complaint filed in federal court in Philadelphia. Septa is seeking a class action status for the suit, on behalf of any individual or organization that has “paid exorbitant prices for Sovaldi” or was unable to obtain the treatment, asking the court to order Gilead to provide unspecified changes and monetary relief.